Internal Audit

An internal audit is the company’s own check of its safety management system, required by paragraph 12 of the ISM Code at intervals not exceeding twelve months. The company verifies that safety and pollution-prevention activities onboard and ashore comply with the SMS and the ISM Code, using auditors independent of the area being audited where the company size allows. Results go to the responsible personnel and to the Designated Person Ashore, and corrective action closes any nonconformity. The internal audit is separate from the external ISM audit through which the flag State or recognized organization issues the Document of Compliance and Safety Management Certificate.